Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will lock horns with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in match number 40 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
RCB have nine points from nine games so far and they still have a chance to qualify for the playoff stages. While KXIP is reeling at the bottom of the table with just four points from nine games. The idea of qualifying for the playoffs looks bleak for them now, but they should come out with all guns blazing against RCB on Wednesday. RCB lost their last game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and KXIP too lost their last game against Mumbai Indians (MI). But the problem wih KXIP is that they have lost four in a row now.
Here are some of the key players from both the sides who can make a difference in this crucial encounter:
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat Kohli: The skipper of RCB has led the side from the front by setting an example with the bat. He has already notched up 303 runs in nine innings at an average of 43.28. He would want to make sure that whatever happened in their last game against CSK, does not happen again. RCB was cruising towards victory at a point and out of nowhere they lost seven wickets in just 24 runs. Kohli would look to play the same attacking brand of cricket that he loves to play.
Mitchell Starc: Starc was unavailable for the initial matches of IPL 2015 due to an injury. But ever since he made his way back into the RCB squad, the bowling attack looks completely different from before. He has already bagged 11 wickets in just six matches with the best average among the other bowlers and also with an impressive economy rate. He is one of the key players who holds the key to RCB's success.
Kings XI Punjab
Glenn Maxwell: A lot has been written and said about this Aussie all-rounder as he has not made any impact whatsoever in this IPL after having a good World Cup with the bat. He has only managed to score 62 runs in six matches. It is now that he needs to come in handy with his bat as his team needs him the most now. A win is all Punjab boys need to get back to rhythm.
David Miller: Miller too did not have a good IPL 2015 with the bat. He was retained by the owners before the auction this year, but he did not live up to their expectations. He has scored 209 runs so far in this edition, but he needs to fire big time in order to give his side a chance against the RCB on Wednesday.
